The Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony (AYWS) was founded in 1988 as the premier honor wind ensemble for high school youth in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Its purpose is to provide a positive musical experience in an artistic environment for advanced instrumentalists in wind and percussion performance. The AYWS rehearses and performs grade five and six (collegiate and professional) original wind band literature composed over a wide span of stylistic compositional periods. As an ensemble, it is one of the most visible ambassadors of culture and youth performance for Atlanta and the state of Georgia.

The AYWS typically performs four concerts annually. Additionally, the group has participated in commissioned compositions, world and regional premieres, professional music conferences, and tours. Guest composers, soloists, and conductors of national renown are regularly invited to perform with the students, including:

Composers

Frank Ticheli

Bruce Broughton

Ron Nelson

Eric Ewazen

Jonathan Newman

Steven Bryant

John Mackey

Eric Whitacre

James Barnes

Carolyn Bremer

David Holsinger

James Barnes

Stephen Paulus

David Gillingham

Michael Daugherty

Christopher Tucker

William Pitts

Jonathan Hoffmann

Guest Artists

Joseph AlessiPrincipal trombone, New York Philharmonic

Richard StoltzmanInternational clarinet soloist and recording artist

Jeff NelsenHorn player with the Canadian Brass and professor at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University

Susan RiderCornet soloist, "The President's Own" United States Marine Band

Anthony MaielloGeorge Mason University

Mark ScatterdayEastman School of Music

Stuart StephensonAtlanta Symphony Orchestra

The AYWS has appeared on Public Radio International's acclaimed radio program "From the Top" with pianist Christopher O'Riley and WABE's "Atlanta Music Scene" with Robert Hubert, and has performed at:

Fellow Ensembles

There is a rich legacy of music-making in Atlanta, and in addition to many excellent school music programs and highly talented private instructors, the AYWS is honored to count among its colleagues these top quality youth music ensembles: